Skype | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/skype
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2018Thu, 22 Feb 2018 05:10:58 GMT2018-02-22T05:10:58Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2018The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Profile review – Skyping-with-Isis thriller dials up the suspensehttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/20/profile-review-skyping-with-isis-thriller-dials-up-the-suspense
<p>Timur Bekmambetov’s film about a journalist investigating women online being lured to Syria is silly but effective</p><p>Cinema is currently deciding how it meets the challenge of representing the way modern life and modern experience is increasingly happening online. The recent supernatural horror-thriller <a draggable="true" href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/apr/30/unfriended-review-chilling-cyberbulling-tale-skype">Unfriended</a> had the ingenious idea of playing out its entire drama on one computer screen in real time, a kind of found-footage 2.0, switching between Facebook, Skype and instant messaging, the various prompts all bleeping and pinging away disturbingly as a sinister presence looms up. Russian director Timur Bekmambetov (who went to Hollywood in the last decade for brash and crass movies such as <a draggable="true" href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/jun/25/film.actionandadventure">Wanted</a>) has applied this approach to a thriller that asks the eternal question: what happens when cops or reporters with unsatisfactory home lives go undercover among people who actually treat them rather well?</p><p>Profile is based on the 2015 non-fiction bestseller <a draggable="true" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/26/french-journalist-poses-muslim-convert-isis-anna-erelle">In the Skin of a Jihadist</a> by a French journalist who now has round-the-clock police protection and has changed her name to Anna Erelle. She was investigating the phenomenon of young European women being radicalised online and lured to Syria; Erelle created a fake profile on Facebook and began chatting to a senior Islamic State commander who then tried to lure her over, repeatedly promising her that she would be his “bride”. A very dangerous game.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/26/french-journalist-poses-muslim-convert-isis-anna-erelle">Skyping with the enemy: I went undercover as a jihadi girlfriend</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/20/profile-review-skyping-with-isis-thriller-dials-up-the-suspense">Continue reading...</a>Berlin film festival 2018Berlin film festivalFestivalsCultureFilmIslamic StateTechnologySkypeSyriaDramaInternetMiddle East and North AfricaTelecomsWorld newsFilm adaptationsBooksTue, 20 Feb 2018 10:44:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/20/profile-review-skyping-with-isis-thriller-dials-up-the-suspensePhotograph: PRPhotograph: PRPeter Bradshaw2018-02-20T10:44:40Z'Some prisoners should be able to Skype family,' says reviewhttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/10/prisoners-should-able-skype-family-members-says-review
<p>Government report underscores importance of relationships in preventing reoffending by inmates</p><p>Video calling technology should be made available to some prisoners so that they can stay in touch with family members unable to visit them, a review ordered by the government has suggested. So-called “virtual visits” should be offered to inmates whose relatives are unable to attend jail because of illness, distance or other factors, according to the report. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/08/prisons-death-rate-high-violence-soaring-rehabilitation-negligible">I entered the prison system 60 years ago. It’s never been so chaotic and dangerous | Eric Allison</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/10/prisoners-should-able-skype-family-members-says-review">Continue reading...</a>Prisons and probationUK criminal justiceLawSocietySkypeInternetTechnologyTelecomsWed, 09 Aug 2017 23:01:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/10/prisoners-should-able-skype-family-members-says-reviewPhotograph: Andrew Aitchison/Corbis via Getty ImagesPhotograph: Andrew Aitchison/Corbis via Getty ImagesHannah Summers2017-08-09T23:01:21ZHow can I make video calls from my TV set?https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2017/jul/20/how-can-i-make-video-calls-from-my-tv-set-skype-smart-tv-set-until-samsung-microsoft-stopped-supporting
<p>Shamit used Skype on her smart TV set until Samsung and Microsoft stopped supporting it. She’d like a substitute that’s just as easy to use</p><p><em>Skype has discontinued support for smart TVs. This was an extremely useful feature as I could talk to my parents in the UK while having my family in the shot, and importantly, without needing to pass a laptop or mobile phone around so that toddlers could speak to their grandparents. Is there an alternative that will allow us to video call using our TV?</em> <strong>Shamit</strong></p><p>Putting Skype into smart TV sets was a boon to families, especially for elderly, disabled or non-technical users who found a TV remote much easier to handle than a PC, tablet or smartphone.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2017/jul/20/how-can-i-make-video-calls-from-my-tv-set-skype-smart-tv-set-until-samsung-microsoft-stopped-supporting">Continue reading...</a>TelevisionTechnologySkypeTelecomsInternetThu, 20 Jul 2017 08:45:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2017/jul/20/how-can-i-make-video-calls-from-my-tv-set-skype-smart-tv-set-until-samsung-microsoft-stopped-supportingPhotograph: Alamy Stock PhotoPhotograph: Alamy Stock PhotoJack Schofield2017-07-20T08:45:08Z'There was nothing I could do': Robert Kelly on his interrupted BBC interview – videohttps://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2017/mar/15/there-was-nothing-i-could-do-robert-kelly-on-his-interrupted-bbc-interview-video
<p>Robert Kelly talks about the BBC interview that became an internet hit after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2017/mar/10/bbc-correspondent-interrupted-by-his-children-live-on-air-video">his children ran into his office</a> as he offered his analysis of the impeachment of South Korea’s president. Kelly, an associate professor at Pusan National University, <a href="http://http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39267005">tells the BBC</a>: ‘I was just hoping you guys might cut it on your end. I was maintaining a straight face, trying to get through it.’ This time his family are with him from the start of the interview</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/mar/14/robert-kelly-children-interrupt-live-bbc-interview-south-korea">• Robert Kelly: my minor mistake turned family into YouTube stars</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2017/mar/15/there-was-nothing-i-could-do-robert-kelly-on-his-interrupted-bbc-interview-video">Continue reading...</a>Social mediaBBCMediaDigital mediaTelevision industrySouth KoreaBBC WorldwideSkypeProf Robert KellyWed, 15 Mar 2017 01:37:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2017/mar/15/there-was-nothing-i-could-do-robert-kelly-on-his-interrupted-bbc-interview-videoPhotograph: BBC World NewsPhotograph: BBC World NewsGuardian Staff2017-03-15T01:37:13ZMy boyfriend cheated on me using Skype sex. Does it matter?https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/01/my-boyfriend-cheated-on-me-using-skype-sex-does-it-matter
<p>A woman in her 20s has discovered that her beloved partner has been having online sex with porn stars. Mariella Frostrup says she is right to worry</p><p><strong>The dilemma</strong><em> </em>My boyfriend and I have been together for three years, we rarely fight and have planned our future lives together. Recently I found out he has been having Skype sex with other women (I think only porn stars). Am I right to be upset about this? I confronted him and he said he considers it as porn, but I don’t, as it is an interaction with another woman who also sees him. I also pointed out the double standards, as he wouldn’t be happy with this behaviour from me, which he accepted. He has apologised, promised to stop and I have forgiven him. But I am scared that he won’t stop. We are in our 20s and I’m worried this pattern of behaviour will end up with him cheating on me in the future.</p><p><strong>Mariella replies</strong> Too right. The bad news is he’s already cheating on you. Sex with someone else, even in a virtual scenario, is sex with someone else. If your boyfriend wants to engage in a second life online he can’t really expect it to run concurrent with the one in which you two are dating. He may like to cast himself as an avatar, out there on a great big solo cyber adventure, but it’s his real brain and his real body that are engaged in these acts of infidelity.</p><p>As for his excuse that it’s 'only pornography', it’s hardly worth the breath it took him to offer it</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/01/my-boyfriend-cheated-on-me-using-skype-sex-does-it-matter">Continue reading...</a>RelationshipsLife and styleSexSkypeInternetTechnologyTelecomsSun, 01 Jan 2017 06:00:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/01/my-boyfriend-cheated-on-me-using-skype-sex-does-it-matterPhotograph: Simon Belcher / Alamy/AlamyPhotograph: Simon Belcher / Alamy/AlamyMariella Frostrup2017-01-01T06:00:48Z2007, not 2016, is the year the world turned upside down | John Naughtonhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/27/2007-not-2016-year-world-turned-upside-down-rapid-technological-change
<p>While we’re undoubtedly living through dark times, the storm we’re in now started with a rush of rapid technological change</p><p>It’s interesting how particular years acquire historical significance: 1789 (the French Revolution); 1914 (outbreak of the first world war); 1917 (the Russian revolution); 1929 (the Wall Street crash); 1983 (switching on of the internet); 1993 (the Mosaic Web browser, which started the metamorphosis of the internet from geek sandpit to the nervous system of the planet). And of course 2016, the year of Brexit and Trump, the implications of which are, as yet, unknown.</p><p>But what about 2007? That was the year when Slovenia adopted the euro, Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU, Kurt Vonnegut died, smoking in enclosed public places was banned in the UK, a student shot 32 people dead and wounded 17 others at Virginia Tech, Luciano Pavarotti died and Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. Oh – and it was also the year that Steve Jobs launched the Apple iPhone.</p><p>Tech innovations ratcheted up a pace of change that was already outrunning society’s ability to adapt</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/23/2016-in-metaphors-dead-turkey-frozen-moose-and-man-digging-his-own-grave">2016 in metaphors: dead turkey, frozen moose and man digging his own grave</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/27/2007-not-2016-year-world-turned-upside-down-rapid-technological-change">Continue reading...</a>InternetSmartphonesMobile phonesiPhoneTelecomsAppleSocial networkingSocial mediaTwitterFacebookDonald TrumpSkypeLinkedInAirbnbTechnologySun, 27 Nov 2016 09:00:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/27/2007-not-2016-year-world-turned-upside-down-rapid-technological-changePhotograph: Paul Sakuma/APPhotograph: Paul Sakuma/APJohn Naughton2016-11-27T09:00:56ZMicrosoft 'to close Skype's UK office'https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/17/microsoft-to-close-skypes-uk-office
<p>Reported closure of the tech firm’s London base is likely to lead to the loss of 400 jobs</p><p>The UK office of one of the world’s leading technology firms, Skype, is to close, it has been reported.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/20/britain-leads-europe-technology-unicorns">Britain leads Europe in tech, with 18 of 47 $1bn companies – report</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/17/microsoft-to-close-skypes-uk-office">Continue reading...</a>SkypeInternetTechnologyTelecomsBrexitUK newsPoliticsBusinessSat, 17 Sep 2016 08:39:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/17/microsoft-to-close-skypes-uk-officePhotograph: Patrick Sinkel/APPhotograph: Patrick Sinkel/APKevin Rawlinson2016-09-17T08:39:36ZDuo video calling app: Google launches cross-platform answer to FaceTimehttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/16/duo-video-calling-app-google-android
<p>App for Android and iOS aims to be simple, friction-free alternative to Skype, using your phone number to quickly place free video calls</p><p>Google has finally launched Duo, its super-simple video calling app for Android and iOS, after the company first announced it <a draggable="true" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/19/google-io-2016-what-you-need-to-know-from-allo-to-daydream">three months ago</a> at its I/O developer conference.<br tabindex="-1"></p><p>The app, which is only available for smartphones, is the latest in a long line of Google services capable of conducting video calling, but is this time designed to simplify the process.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/16/duo-video-calling-app-google-android">Continue reading...</a>GoogleAndroidiOSAppsSkypeAlphabetAppleInternetMobile phonesSoftwareTechnologyTelecomsSmartphonesTue, 16 Aug 2016 04:01:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/16/duo-video-calling-app-google-androidPhotograph: GooglePhotograph: GoogleSamuel Gibbs2016-08-16T04:01:23ZEU to crack down on online services such as WhatsApp over privacyhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/15/eu-to-crack-down-online-services-such-as-whatsapp-skype-over-privacy
<p>Europe will publish draft law to ensure that online messaging services have privacy rules like those for texts and calls</p><p>WhatsApp, Skype and other online messaging services face an EU crackdown aimed at safeguarding users’ privacy, in a move that highlights the gulf between Europe and the US in regulating the internet.<br></p><p>The European commission will publish a draft law on data privacy that aims to ensure instant message and internet-voice-call services face similar security and privacy rules to those governing SMS text messages, mobile calls and landline calls. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/15/eu-to-crack-down-online-services-such-as-whatsapp-skype-over-privacy">Continue reading...</a>Data protectionSkypeWhatsAppFacebookMicrosoftComputingInternetTechnologyTelecomsUK newsEuropean UnionEuropean commissionEuropeMon, 15 Aug 2016 15:34:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/15/eu-to-crack-down-online-services-such-as-whatsapp-skype-over-privacyPhotograph: Carl Court/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Carl Court/Getty ImagesJennifer Rankin in Brussels and Alex Hern2016-08-15T15:34:30ZInternet access is now a basic human right: part 2 - Chips with Everything tech podcasthttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2016/aug/04/internet-access-human-right-2-tech-podcast
<p>In 2001, Estonia was one of the first countries in the world to classify internet access as a human right. To learn more, we speak to the foreign minister of Estonia and Skype’s first employee</p><p><strong>Subscribe and review: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/chips-everything-guardian/id270424643?mt=2">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/guardianchips">Soundcloud</a>, <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/Chips-with-everything">Audioboom</a>, <a href="https://www.mixcloud.com/Guardian_Podcasts/">Mixcloud </a>&amp; <a href="https://www.acast.com/chips-with-everything">Acast</a></strong></p><p>On 1 July the United Nations resolved that access to the internet is to be considered a basic human right. While this decision may seem straightforward, with the complex nature of human rights law considered, the resolution is far from simple.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2016/aug/04/internet-access-human-right-2-tech-podcast">Continue reading...</a>InternetHuman rightsUnited NationsFreedom of speechTechnologyEstoniaSkypeThu, 04 Aug 2016 08:35:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2016/aug/04/internet-access-human-right-2-tech-podcastPhotograph: Jon Arnold/ALAMYPhotograph: Jon Arnold/ALAMYPresented by Leigh Alexander with Matt Shore and produced by Matt Shore and Rowan Slaney2016-08-04T08:35:31ZBritain leads Europe in tech, with 18 of 47 $1bn companies – reporthttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/20/britain-leads-europe-technology-unicorns
<p>More than a third of European ‘unicorns’, technology firms worth over $1bn, were founded in the UK, with Sweden in second place</p><p>Europe is a successful Unicorn ranch. The number of private technology companies valued north of $1bn – originally nicknamed after the mythical creature due to their supposed rareness – that are based in Europe has risen to 47, according to tech investment bank GP Bullhound.</p><p>The count is up by 10 in the past year, and the combined value of the companies on the list is now $130bn (£90bn).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/20/britain-leads-europe-technology-unicorns">Continue reading...</a>Technology startupsTechnologyTechnology sectorBusinessInternetSpotifySkypeAsosDigital music and audioTelecomsDeliverooMon, 20 Jun 2016 06:00:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/20/britain-leads-europe-technology-unicornsPhotograph: PraxisPhotography/Getty Images/Flickr RFPhotograph: PraxisPhotography/Getty Images/Flickr RFAlex Hern2016-06-20T06:00:03ZSay one sentence and it’s done in the AI-first worldhttps://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2016/may/20/say-one-sentence-and-its-done-in-the-ai-first-world
<p>Conversational commerce and artificial intelligence as a utility will change the way we interact with tech, brands and each other</p><p>Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/3967198-alphabet-goog-q1-2016-results-earnings-call-transcript" rel="nofollow">Alphabet’s Q1 earnings call</a>: “In the long run, we will evolve in computing from a mobile-first to an AI-first world”.<br></p><p>This has prompted various speculation on what an AI-first world will look like. Pichai envisages that it will include “assistive” search, “especially on mobile,” suggesting that artificial intelligence (AI) will be the platform for on-demand services accessed from any device – including smartphones.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2016/may/20/say-one-sentence-and-its-done-in-the-ai-first-world">Continue reading...</a>Media & Tech NetworkArtificial intelligence (AI)TechnologyMediaMarketing & PRAmazonAppleE-commerceInternetComputingMicrosoftSkypeFri, 20 May 2016 09:00:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2016/may/20/say-one-sentence-and-its-done-in-the-ai-first-worldPhotograph: MicrosoftPhotograph: MicrosoftJoanna Goodman2016-05-20T09:00:36ZPaul McCartney and Skype hope all you need is Love Mojishttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/feb/10/paul-mccartney-skype-mojis
<p>Help! You’ll need somebody to send this series of animations to, as the former Beatle records ‘unique musical compositions’ for communications app</p><p>The ultimate Valentine’s Day gift for that special Beatles fan in your life? No, not a box-set, a T-shirt or a <a href="http://www.thebeatlesonline.co.uk/thebeatles/thebeatles/Salt-Pepper-Set-Yellow-Submarine/4X4L0000000">Yellow Submarine salt and pepper set</a>. How about pinging them on Skype with a branded animation voiced by Sir Paul McCartney?</p><p>Well, it’s the thought that counts. And the thought that McCartney and Skype have had is that in 2016, the world is finally ready for “love-inspired Mojis” featuring the musician.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/feb/10/paul-mccartney-skype-mojis">Continue reading...</a>SkypePaul McCartneyTechnologyMusicThe BeatlesTelecomsCultureWed, 10 Feb 2016 15:50:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/feb/10/paul-mccartney-skype-mojisPhotograph: Steve Parsons/PAPhotograph: Steve Parsons/PAStuart Dredge2016-02-10T15:50:08ZDavos braces for an influx of digital disruptorshttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/18/davos-braces-digital-disruptors-taavert-hinrikus
<p>Taavet Hinrikus hopes to shake-up the money transfer market much as Skype disrupted the phone industry</p><p>Taavet Hinrikus is a disruptor. As the first employee of the internet phone service Skype, he helped spark a revolution in the way people communicate with each other. Now, Hinrikus is aiming to transform the way people move cash around the world through <a href="https://transferwise.com/">TransferWise, an online money transmission service</a>.</p><p>The 34-year-old Estonian is plotting his latest revolution from the unglamorous location of Old Street in London, better known as the silicon roundabout hub where like-minded digital disruptors are based. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jan/16/tech-startups-hoping-to-become-household-names-deliveroo-farfetch">Tech startups hoping to become household names in 2016</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/17/global-economic-turmoil-dominate-davos">Global economic turmoil to dominate Davos discussions</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/18/davos-braces-digital-disruptors-taavert-hinrikus">Continue reading...</a>Davos 2016DavosBusinessSilicon RoundaboutSkypeInternetTechnologyEntrepreneursFinancial sectorLondonTechnology startupsTechnology sectorMon, 18 Jan 2016 12:58:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/18/davos-braces-digital-disruptors-taavert-hinrikusPhotograph: P4263 Jan Haas/Jan HaasPhotograph: P4263 Jan Haas/Jan HaasJill Treanor2016-01-18T12:58:13ZCan you do ‘real work’ on an iPad?https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/07/ipad-pro-review-tablet-versus-computers-work
It’s time to stop the snobbishness about how superior a ‘proper computer’ is<p>What constitutes “real work”? Anyone who has dug a ditch by hand would say that certainly qualifies, but when it comes to computing and screens, the distinction becomes more difficult. Since the introduction of the iPad in 2010, the insistence among some that what gets done on an iPad is not “real work”, while stuff done on a computer with a keyboard running some flavour of Windows is, has become gradually more hilarious.</p><p>What stopped people from doing “real work” on the first iPad? According to various comments after its introduction, the lack of Photoshop; no access to the file system; no USB port for flash memory drives, or a spinning hard drive capable of storing 160GB, or a physical keyboard. Then there was the lack of computer-aided design/manufacturing programs, and the absence of Microsoft Office. How could you do “real work” in the modern age without touching Office?<br></p><p>Apparently for some, no app or capability of whatever power can replace the presence of a 'full-fat operating system'</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/29/apple-i-pad-pro-review">iPad Pro – the creative future’s looking good</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/07/ipad-pro-review-tablet-versus-computers-work">Continue reading...</a>iPadSkypeComputingInternetTechnologyTablet computersMon, 07 Dec 2015 07:30:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/07/ipad-pro-review-tablet-versus-computers-workPhotograph: Stephen Lam/ReutersPhotograph: Stephen Lam/ReutersCharles Arthur2015-12-07T07:30:05ZIn search of a European Googlehttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/06/europe-google-silicon-valley-digital-industry
<p>California’s Silicon Valley runs the show when it comes to successful tech companies. So why has the old world failed to produce a thriving digital industry to rival the US?</p><p>David Galbraith, a partner at venture investment firm Anthemis, has a statistic he likes to quote. “The combined value of the top three internet companies in the Americas – so, basically, in America – is around $0.75tn (£0.5tn). In Asia, it’s around $0.5tn. In Africa, it’s $50bn. And in Europe, it’s just $25bn.”</p><p>When I first heard the figure from him, on the hottest day of the year at a conference in the City of London, I was shocked. Galbraith, who helped create both <a href="http://web.resource.org/rss/1.0/spec">net standard RSS</a> <a href="https://gigaom.com/2012/03/02/what-do-yelp-and-twitter-have-in-common/">and listings site Yelp</a> in the early 2000s, is not known for exaggeration.</p><p>Europe has evolved. An ecosystem is in place to support the growth of such a company as Facebook</p><p>The $250 billion dollar question: even if these startups reach full potential, is it enough for Europe to hold its own?</p><p>Germany makes the tools that China uses to make the tools to make other things. But they need to own the software too</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/06/europe-google-silicon-valley-digital-industry">Continue reading...</a>TechnologyGoogleTechnology startupsSilicon ValleySilicon RoundaboutAlphabetBusinessInternetAppleFacebookSkypeTechnology sectorSun, 06 Dec 2015 07:00:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/06/europe-google-silicon-valley-digital-industryPhotograph: Deco /AlamyPhotograph: Deco /AlamyAlex Hern2015-12-06T07:00:12ZFacebook’s Safety Check leads technology’s support of Parishttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/16/facebook-safety-check-technology-paris-terrorist-attacks
<p>Social network activates feature previously used during natural disasters, while other apps and tools help those caught in aftermath of terrorist attacks </p><p>Facebook activated its Safety Check service for a terrorist incident for the first time during the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/paris-attacks">Paris attacks</a>, allowing people to notify their loved ones that they were safe.<br></p><p>The social network said that it would consider using the feature – which until now has been limited to natural disasters – more widely, following criticism in failing to activate the tool in the wake of <a draggable="true" href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/13/lebanon-families-mourn-victims-beirut-bombings">terrorist attacks in Beirut on Thursday</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/16/facebook-safety-check-technology-paris-terrorist-attacks">Continue reading...</a>FacebookInternetTwitterAirbnbSkypeMicrosoftGoogleUberTechnologySocial mediaSocial networkingParisParis attacksEuropeTelecomsMediaFranceWorld newsMon, 16 Nov 2015 12:34:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/16/facebook-safety-check-technology-paris-terrorist-attacksPhotograph: FacebookPhotograph: FacebookSamuel Gibbs2015-11-16T12:34:58ZHertfordshire men blackmailed after performing explicit acts on Skypehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/08/hertfordshire-men-blackmailed-after-performing-explicit-acts-on-skype
<p>Police hunt unidentified woman who forced more than 20 men to hand over up to £500 by threatening to show footage to friends and family</p><p>Police are searching for a woman who contacted men online and persuaded them to carry out explicit acts before blackmailing them with the video footage.</p><p> The unidentified woman forced more than 20 men, aged between 17 and 36, into handing over up to £500 by threatening to reveal the footage to friends and family.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/08/hertfordshire-men-blackmailed-after-performing-explicit-acts-on-skype">Continue reading...</a>UK newsSocial mediaDigital mediaSkypeInternetThu, 08 Oct 2015 11:41:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/08/hertfordshire-men-blackmailed-after-performing-explicit-acts-on-skypePhotograph: Richard Baker/In Pictures/CorbisPhotograph: Richard Baker/In Pictures/CorbisNadia Khomami and agency2015-10-08T11:41:05ZTwitter, Skype, Amazon: why does the internet keep breaking?https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/21/twitter-skype-amazon-why-does-internet-keep-breaking
<p>Big internet names have been cutting out and dropping off in the last week. Why are they playing with us in this way?</p><p>First it was Twitter, the desktop client of which <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2015/09/14/twitter-is-having-itself-a-monday-desktop-version-is-down/">went down</a> for over an hour last week, (that’s almost a year in Twitter time). Then it was <a href="http://thenextweb.com/insider/2015/09/20/amazon-web-services-goes-down-taking-netflix-reddit-pocket-and-more-with-it/">Amazon Web Services</a>, which glitched and took with it the likes of Netflix, Medium and Buffer over the weekend. Today, <a href="http://news.sky.com/story/1556436/skype-chat-down-for-users-across-the-world">Skype has lost connection</a>, scuppering those wishing to talk to long-distance other halves or interviewing for that job on a different continent. </p><p>What is happening? Why is the internet breaking? And isn’t this all a bit <a draggable="true" href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/dec/17/kim-kardashian-butt-break-the-internet-paper-magazine">Paper magazine November 2014</a>?</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are aware of an issue affecting Skype status at the moment, and are working on a quick fix: <a href="http://t.co/ymSzmrgEX0">http://t.co/ymSzmrgEX0</a> <a href="http://t.co/8LoqqL0hh7">pic.twitter.com/8LoqqL0hh7</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/21/twitter-skype-amazon-why-does-internet-keep-breaking">Continue reading...</a>InternetTechnologySkypeAmazonTwitterMon, 21 Sep 2015 13:52:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/21/twitter-skype-amazon-why-does-internet-keep-breakingPhotograph: AlamyPhotograph: AlamyHannah Jane Parkinson2015-09-21T13:52:08ZImmigration income threshold creates thousands of 'Skype kids', says reporthttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/sep/09/immigration-income-threshold-creates-thousands-of-skype-kids-says-report
<p>Children’s commissioner criticises ‘discriminatory’ Home Office rules that are separating families in which one parent is barred from living in Britain</p><p>At least 15,000 British children are growing up as “Skype kids” because an immigration income threshold does not allow both of their parents to live together in Britain, a children’s commissioner report has found.</p><p>The research, by the <a href="http://www.jcwi.org.uk/">Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants</a> (JCWI) and Middlesex University, shows that thousands of British families have been affected by a Home Office minimum income threshold of £18,600 a year for sponsoring a foreign spouse to live in the UK, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/jul/11/appeal-court-18600-foreign-spouse-uk">which was introduced in 2012</a>.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jun/10/immigration-rules-separating-thousands-families">Immigration policy tearing families apart, report shows</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/sep/09/immigration-income-threshold-creates-thousands-of-skype-kids-says-report">Continue reading...</a>ChildrenSocietyMigrationImmigration and asylumUK newsSkypeTue, 08 Sep 2015 23:01:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/sep/09/immigration-income-threshold-creates-thousands-of-skype-kids-says-reportPhotograph: Richard Baker/In Pictures/CorbisPhotograph: Richard Baker/In Pictures/CorbisAlan Travis Home affairs editor2015-09-08T23:01:10Z